To Extend Or Not To Extend (But Hopefully To Extend)

For Becks, that is the question. I’ve always been a fan of the kid, despite the resounding criticism among hardcore MLS fans, and I think that anyone who would call his move to MLS a bad thing is delusional. He’s brought us attention, star power, and, yes, talent.

And he may (or may not) be doing it for one more year.

It was announced today that the Galaxy have offered Beckham a one year, $8.9 million dollar contract extension with terms similar to that of his original move from Madrid in ‘07. This, of course isn’t his only option: England’s Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham have both expressed interest in the now 36 year old midfielder, who reportedly wants to return to England to captain his home nation in the 2012 Olympics.

Speculation abounds, and it seems that only Beckham himself really knows which road he’s going to take. That is, of course, if even he has any idea.

Me? In terms of MLS, I pray he stays. There’s three angles to this:

1. We still need him. LA is the unquestioned best team in the league, and he has a big role to play in that. Say what you will about him, there’s no doubt in my mind that the boy can still curve a ball like it’s nobody’s business. Whether we like it or not, Beckham is a necessary addition of starpower and talent into the league, and letting him go would be a huge loss.

2. Leaving looks terrible. Let’s be honest, if Becks signs elsewhere, the headlines on ESPN will read nothing short of “After Unsuccessful 5 Year Stint, Beckham Leaves MLS”, and from there, Eurosnobs will be quick to sneer at how he “didn’t even want to stay in that shitty league”. It’ll be ugly. Trust me.

3. Staying looks good. Sure, it’s positive impact isn’t nearly equal to the negative of him leaving, but it sure wouldn’t hurt for him to announce that he enjoys playing here and wants to keep giving it a go. He’ll do some interviews, tell everyone how at home he feels here, and make MLS look at least a little bit better.

Like it or not, MLS needs Beckham. Let’s just hope Beckham needs MLS.

Category: MLS